AN HISTORIC footpath once frequented by mill workers on their daily commute has been restored after long-awaited work was completed.

Campaigners have been working towards getting Barnoldswick’s famous 40 Steps restored to their former glory since 2008.

They are now celebrating after work, which they expect will keep the path in mint condition for at least 100 years, was finished.

The path runs from Gill-ians Lane, near Bancroft Mill, crosses the stream at Ouzedale and links with Longfield Lane, known loc-ally as Crowfoot Row.

Dennis Cairns, chairman of Barnoldswick Histor-ical Society, said it was used by people from out-lying villages on their way to Barnoldswick.

Craven Coun David Whipp led the campaign for the work and said it is just as well used today.

He said: “It’s a historic path that was a route for hand loom weavers to get from their cottages to the mill.”

Despite being known locally as the 40 steps, there are actually only 39.

“It’s one of those quirks that we have in Barlick. Maybe Barlickers at the time couldn’t count when they put in the footpath,” said Coun Whipp.

In recent years, he said, the path has been plagued by dog fouling.

The latest work has included re-laying setts on a weed-free membrane and putting new grouting in place to make it a weed-free environment.

Dubbed The 40 Steps Project, it has been partly funded by Barnoldswick Town Council, which gave £7,000 and Lancashire County Council chipped in £2,000.

Pendle Council’s West Craven Committee also committed £7,000.

The work has been part of Pendle Council’s urban ginnels programme.